Tribunal Dismisses Maku’s Petition against Al-Makura

THISDAY NEWS

 Governor Tanko Al-Makura

By Adams Abonu in Lafia

The Nasarawa State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Lafia has dismissed the petition of the candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the April election, Mr. Labaran Maku.

Maku had challenged the victory of Governor Tanko Al-Makura of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the declared winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).  In a unanimous judgment, Justice Halima Muhammed ruled that the petitioner failed to prove the allegations of over voting and manipulations against reasonable doubts.

“Having considered the positions of the counsel to the petition and accounts of witnesses under cross-examination, the tribunal has dismissed the case of the petitioner, Maku of APGA, for want of merit and upheld the declaration of Al-Makura of APC as declared by INEC,” Justice Muhammed ruled.

Speaking with THISDAY after the ruling, counsel to Maku, Joe Gadzama (SAN), said his client would explore all judicial avenues towards reclaiming the mandate given to him by the electorate during the election.

Reacting to the judgment, the Special Assistant to Al-Makura on Media and Publicity, Ahmed Tukur,  said his principal was elated about the development and called for decorum in the state.

“This is a triumph of the people’s collective decision, and governor is grateful to Almighty God and the entire Nasarawa people. “Al-Makura extends a hand of fellowship to the opposition in the task of carrying the state to enviable heights,” Tukur told THISDAY.

Lafia, the state capital, went agog immediately the news of the tribunal’s ruling filtered in.

There was wild jubilation along major roads in the township with a police helicopter hovering around the sky obviously to forestall any possible breakdown of law and order.